Sherimp-shelling machine



May 1927 F. c. BUCKNAM SHRIMP SHELLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 19, 1927 A TTORNE Y.

' 1,62 g4 Mq 31927 F.Ac. BucKNAM 7 79 SHRIMP SHELLIHG MACHINE Filed Feb/19, 1927 4 sheets-sheet s May a; 1927'.

F. c. BUCKNAM SHRIMP SHELLING MACHINE Filed Feb. 19. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INI/EN'FR. F. U. BUCKMM,

A TTORNEY.

Patented May 3, 1927.

narran STATES FRANK C. BCKNAM, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

SHRIMP-SHELLING MACHINE.

Application filed February 19, 1927. Serial No. 169,593.

This invention relates to a machine for shelling of Crustacea and has for its object to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth a machine of such class designed primarily for expeditiously separating the meat from the body part of shrimp.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to whereby the shrimp can be quickly positioned and held for the separation of the meat therefrom and further whereby the empty shells are readily discarded..

A'further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to for successively acting on the shrimp to quickly fasten it in poition, remove the feelers or tins theretrom,` freeing the meat at the tail portion thereof, severing the head,jremoving the meat from the shell in a direction from the forward end of the shell, and then discardin the shell.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafterl set forth, a machine for separating,T the meat of shrimp from the body or shell part thereof, and which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable,

thoroughly efficient in its use, readily as-y sembled, and comparatively inexpensive to set up.

VVith the foregoing` and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction. combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine for the shelling' of Crustacea in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof. c

Figure 3 a section ou line 3-3 Figure 2.

Figure t is a. section on line 4-4 Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary View upon an enlarged scale, in plan, of the machine at the shrimp receiving end thereof.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 at thc meat removing` end of the machine.

y the holder bars.

Figure .9 is a fragmentary view disassembled and in perspective of the head cutter,

`l3`igure 1() is a fragmentary view, in perspective, of the feeler or fin cutter bar shiftingr means.

The machine comprises a base 1 carrying a forward and a rearward pairl of standards 2, 3 respectively and with the standards of each pair opposing each other and arranged iu spaced relation and secured upon the upper ends of said standard is a sectional platform or table and with the sectionsthereof arranged in spaced relation and indicated at 1, 5. The ends and outer sides of the said sections are formed with down-turned tianges 6, the inner side edge of the section. is under-eut as indicated yat 7 and the inner side edge of the section ,5 is under-cut indicate-d at 8, see Figures :i and fl. The sections are connected together at their ends by coupling bars 9.. Secured to the lower face of the section 4 yand projecting' beyond the edge 7 and towards the section 5 a supporting member :10 of less length than the length of the section 4. Secured to the lower face of the section 5 and projecting from the edge 8 thereof and towards the section 4 is a'supporting vmember 11 of less length than the section 5. The section 4t is of the same widthfrom end to end and the section 5 is constructed with a pair of end portions 12, 13 of the same width as thewidth of section f1 and an intermediate portion 14 of materially greater width than the width of the section 4, see Figure 2. The intermediate portion 14 is of greater length than the combined length of the end portions 12, 13. By this arrangement the opening formed between the sections 1, 5 has the end portion thereof of materially greater width than the intermediate portion 16 thereof. The end ijiortions 15 of the opening', formed between the sections 4t, 5 are offset with respect to the intern'iediate portion 16 of such opening, see Figure 2.

Only one of the standards 2 is illustratedv and only one of the standards 3. Each standard is of like construction and each standard 3 of like construction. The standards 2. 3 have their vupper ends arranged against the inner faces of the side fianges 9- et the sections fl, 5. Each standard 2 between its transverse median and its upper end is provided with an opening 17 and with the openings ot the standards 2 aligning, and journaled in said openings is a drive shatt 18, which of a length te project 'from the section 4; and is provided with a gear wheel '19, adapted to be connected to a driving means therefor, not shown. Each standard 5%, at a point between its transverse median and its upper end is provided with a transversely extending slot 20 which opens at the tor- Ward side edge ot' the standard and carries an adjustable bearing 21. for a transversely extending shaft 22 Each standard 3 is provided with a bracket ot yoke-shaped contour at its Jforward edge and which opposes the open end of the slot Q0. The bracket is indicated at 23, is secured, to the standard by the holdtast devices 24-, and carries an adjusting screw 25 for the bearing 21,. 1n Figure 2./a the upper ends ot the several standards are indicated in dotted lines.

Carried by the shaft 17, and positioned at the longitudinal median et the part 16 of the opening formed between the sect-Ions fie and 5 is a sprocket gear E2G, which is arranged in alignment with sprocket gear 27 fixed to the shaft 2Q. Travelling over the sprocket gears Q6 and 27 and driven from the gear 26 is an endless conveyor Q8 in the torm ot a sprocket chain. The tensioning of the conveyor 28 is provided by the adjustable bearings 21. The high part ot the conveyor 28, which is indicated at 29, Fig ure 11 travels in the opening 30, formed between the supporting members 10 and 11 and said opening 30 is or' less Width than the intermediate part 16 of the opening formed between the sections t, 5, see Figure 4. Secured to and operating with the shaft 18. below the section 5, is a bevelled gear 31 which is employed `for a purpose to be presently reierred to.

Connected to and bodily transported by the conveyor Q8 is a series of carriers reterred to generally by the reference character 32. The carriers 32 are arranged in spaced relation and secured to the conveyor Q8 and bodily carried therewith are spaced holders 33 and each of which is ar anged slightly in advance of a carrier 32.

Each carrier consists et a body portion 311, see Figures Il, 5, 7 and S, is et greater transverse width than the opening 30 and ot the same Width as the intermediate part 16 of the opening termed between the sections fi, 5. The body portion 34 is ot' greater thickness than the depth ot said intermediate part 16. rilhe body portion 34; is supported on the members 10 and 11 when the high part Q9 of the conveyor 28 travels through the opening 30. The lower part of each side edge ot the body portion 34- is bevelled as at S5. The bevels are oppositely disposed and engage the bevelled edges 'i'. 8 ot the Sections 4, 5 thereby providing a dove-tail con nection to prevent the upward shitting ol the body portion 34 relative to the platform. or in other words tor confining the body portion 34 as it travels through the inter-- mediate par" 1G oi the opening formed betveen the tions h n. The upper face ol the body portion. -I-l is 'torn'zed with :1` series of transverse grooves Clt a rrangcd in spaced relation and in pzuallclisin and extending from one. side edge to the other side edge ot the body portion 3l. The ends ot the grooves 36 are positioned above the bevelled part oit the side edges of the body portion let. Secured upon the top oi the body portion 3ft at a point between thc longitudinal median thereof and that side cdgrie oi the body portion 34 which abuts the section it is longitudinally extending retaining plate 37 ot' the same length as the length ot the bod)v portion 34./ see Figures 5 and 6. Secured upon the plate 3T is a vertically disposed abutment member 38. which extends lengthwise of the plate 37 and inclines outwardly from its rear to its forward end. rlhe abutment 3. at its bottom is formed with an outwardly extending flange 39 through which extends holdtast devices L0 'for rigidly securing the abutment member in position, and the latter at its forward end terminates at the 'forward end ot' the body portion 3ft. r1`he member 38 also constitutes a guide for positioning the shrimp 4l with respect to thc earif'r, and the latter is or" less length than the length oi3 the shrimp, see Figure (i. The shrimp l1 when positioned extends torvwardliv and rearwardly with respect to the carrier 32. The carrier 32 is illustrated as provided with four grooves 36, but this number can be increased or diminished it desired. The grooves 36 are provided for the reception ot a series or sets ot transversely shi table hooi.;- carrying bars 4Q and each oil wl'iich has its ends oppositely bevelled as at lll-l, .-tt. Si cured to the ripper' tace oif each ol' the bars 412, in proximity to the bevelled ond it. is a, hook a5 which is disposed lengthwise with respect to the upper Atace ot the bnr and upset with respect thereto. 'ihe bill lo ol each hook #l5 is positiornxl above the upper 'tace ot' the bec y portion 2li ol: the carrier. see Figure Pivotally ronnectcd as at ll' to the rear end ot the plate 23T, is a nnuuialljv operated clamping lever it vtor engagement with the tail ot the shrimp to clamp the latter and Vtree the meat there trom. see Figure 5. rthe hooks tti are providrd 't'or securing the shrimp il on the carrier and the manner in which this action is e'li'cctcd. will be presently referred to.

The plate 232 which provides a holder has its side et ges bevelled, indicated at Figure 3 to engage under the edges oi the sertions t, 5 see Figure 8, or in other words llt) - and which isv engaged by the gear 53 'Y CII i platform.

`tion by the rack provide a dove-tail sliding connection between the holder 33 and the sections of the vplatform and which prevents the moving upwardly oi the holder 33 relative to the The holder 33'is prevailedl at a point between its transverse median and rear end and to one side of its longitudinal 1nediari with an opening 50, see Figure 3, and integral with the holder 33, and depending from the lower face thereolZ is a sleeve 5l. Extending throu'gl'i the opening 50 and sleeve 51 is a shaft 52, carrying below the sleeve 51 a gear wheel 53. The upper end of the shaft 52 is fixedly secured to a revoluble lbase see Figure 9 of a combined hook and cutter and the latter is en'iployed for successively catching the shrimp near its head and for severing the latter. The combined hoolr and cutter consists ot' a vertically disposed cutter i member 55 which is iixedly Secured at its lower end to the edge oil? the base and extending laterally from the'cutter iiieii'iber 55 is a series ot superposed, curr-ed spaced tiiies 56 which provide the hook. The tiiies enter the head of the shrimp prior to the action ot' the cutter member 55 to sever the head and .the seveianeeof the latter is had in advance operated. and for such purpose .'fipaced racks f 5.7, 50 are provided, see Figures l, 2, 6 and during the travel of the conveyor 28. Each rack is carried by an angle shaped bracket 58, which is securedby the lioldfast devices 59 against the lower face ot' the supporting member 11'. The racks are suspended below the opening` 30, seeF-igure 3 andin'the path of the gear wheel 53. The base 54 of the combined hook and cutter is oit senircircular contour see Figure 2. The 'rack 5T operates the hook and cutter in advance of its opera- Secured to the upper face of the section 5 of the platform, is a cani bar referred to generally by the reference character 60 and which is disposed lengthwise with respectv to said section 5 and it includes a rear portion 6l, a forwardly extending and inwardly inclined intermediate portion 62 and a longitudinal'ly extending foi-ward portion 63. The portion 6l is positioned near the rear end of the section 5 and is spaced from the inner side edge of such section. y The inte-i`- mediate portion 62 projects inwardly at an inclination from the portion 6l and terminates at the inner side edge of the section 5 and the end portion 63 is positioned atthe inner side edge of the section cam bai' 60 is of a length to extend from the rear e-nd ol the intern'iediate portion i4 of the section 5, to a` point adjacent the forward end of said intermediate portion` sec Figure 2. The inner side edge of the end portion 63 of the cani bar 60 is flush with The tion 4 of the platform, see `Figure 5. for the purposeof having the bills 46 oi' the hooks 45` to `enter between the 4shell andthe meat of the shrimp under such conditions fastening the shell to the carrier. `The bars42 are successively shifted in the direction referred to and for the purpose set 'forth by the iiiteriiiediate portion ot' the cam bar 60, see Figure Adjustably secured to the end portion 61 of the cani bar 60 is an Lshaped guide and holder 64 .having the longitudinal arm 65 thereof opposing and spaced from the combined guide andabutnient 3S, during the travel of the carriers. The horizontal arms 66 of the guide 64 is :formed with a lateral slotted extension 67,v through which extends holdfast devices 68 whereby the guide 64 can vbe adjusted relative to the combined abutment and lguide 3S. The guide 64 is rounded, as at 69 between the arms 65 and 66 and which facilitates the passage of the shrimp. The combined abutment and guide 38 is'positioned at one side of the shrimp and the arm 65' of the guide 64 at the other side of the shrimp. The arm 65 is arrangedl over the body portion of the carrier32. l i 1 The intermediate portion 62 of the cani bar 60 as before stated, shifts the hook-carrying bars 42 transversely of the bodypor-f' tion 34, of the carrier 32 so that the hooks fore stated is in a direction towards the section 4 and in this connection it will be stated that as the rcarrier 32 ilnovesi'orwardly the bevelled ends 44 of therbars 42 ride against Athe intermediate portion 62 of the calm bar 6() and provide-'lor tl'ieshifting acti-olii. as stated. lThe end portion 63 ot' the caniA bar 60 will maintain the hook bars for a predetermined period in such shifted position as shown in Figure 6. `'To move the bars -l-il in the opposite direction, a canti 70j is provided andA which is engaged by the bevellfed end-s 43 of the bars 42 and successively shifts such bars to the position shown at the lett ot Figure 2. VThe cani 70 is secured Vto the section 4 at a point adjacent the foi-ward end of said'section and rearwardly ol' and in vproximity to` the enlarged end port-ion *15 of the opening formed between the seo tions 4 and 5, see Figure 6. The hold'tast devices `for securing the cani in position are and thelatter will be releasedV from the Cain' ltl rier 32 and as the latter is moved forwardly by the conveyor 38 the shell will be dumped from the carrier as the latter' moves around the forward end or the conveyor. rlhe ends of the supports 10, 11 are downwardly curved. The shell. ot the shrimp is indicated at, the severed head thereol aty 73 and the latter is dumped from the holder 33 as the latter passes around the :forward end of the conveyor 38.

Bependingtroni the section 5i ol' the 'plattorm, see Figure l are sha'it hangers 74, 'T5 and journaled therein is a lonsritlulinally extendine,- shaft provided at. its toru-'aril end with a bevelled Aj jear Tl' meshing with and driven 'lroln the bevelled gear 31. The sha tt 7G carries a bevellcd gear TS and a circular disk 79 provided with a pair ot oppositely disposed studs 80, 81 which are diametrically opposedand arranged on opposite sidesl ot the disk 79. The function ot the lievelled gears T8 and disk T 9 will, be presently referred to.

Mounted on the section 5 ot the plattorm is a counterbalanced holder element and a spring controlled scraper element. T he `function of the holder element to press upon the shrimp to hold it in place on the carrier and that of the scraper element to remove the feelers and tins during the travel of the carrier and in advance ot cutting otl' the head and removing the meat 82 trom the shell 72. The holder element consists ot a. shank S3 provided at its inner end with a. wheel 84 providing a eounterbalance t`or the shank 83 and said wheel 84 is intermittently raised to provide a clearance for the head ot the shrimp 4.1 and the combined hook and cutter. lVhen the wheel 841; is lowered by gravity, it talls on the shrimp rearwardly ot the head and rests on the shrimp 41 to hold it as it is being' moved for- `wardly for the purpose of scrapingr oil the teelers and fins, the cutting' oit' of the head, and separating' the meat from the shell. The outer end ot the shank 83 is provided with a right angular extension 85, which projects forwardly and is journaled in a bearing 8G secured upon the upper face ot the section The extension 85 terminates in a depending arm 8T. which extends through a slot 88, loi-med in the section 5. The arm 87 is arranged in the path ot the stud 81 whereby -duringthe revolving;- ot the disk 'T9 the stud 81 will engage the arm 87, and litt the holder element to the dotted line position shown in li`i-gure il. lVhen the holder element is in the dotted line position a clearance is had for the passage ot the combined hook and cutter formed by the elements 55 and 56. When thc pin or stud 8l clears the arm 8T. the wheel 8,1 will fall by gravity and the shank S3 will seat in a notch or recets 8S 'formed in the top edge of the arm 65 of the guide Gil.

The holder element is arranged rearwardly of the scraper element and the lat-ter is referred to generally by the reference character S9 and comprises a spring controlled slidable bar 90, mounted in keepers 91 secured upon the upper tace of the section 5, and the` latter below the bar is formed with a rectangular slot 92, which registers with an opening 93 ,formed in the bar 90. The inner end otl the bar 90 .is provided with a` scraper device 9111 t'or reinoviirgr the tins and 't'eelers 'trom the shrimp as the latter is con veyed forwardly. The normal position ot the scraper is :is shown in Figure 5, and is withdrawn trom such position. to provide tor the clearing); ot the combined hook and head cutter and itor such purpose a shifting arm is provided. The shitting arm is indicated at 95 and extends up through the slot 92 and into the opening 93. The arm 95 pivotalhv connected as at 96, upon a hanger 9i' depending trom the section 5. The arm 95 is toi-ined with a pin 98 to which one end ot controllingl spring 99 is connected. rl`lie other end ot the spring 99 is secured to a hanger 100 which depends from the section 5. The spring 99 functions to normally retain the arm 95 in the position shown in Figure 3. The arm 95 depends a substantial distance below its pivot- 96 and is positioned in the pat-h ot' the stud or pin S0 whereby when the disk 79 is revolved the pin or stud 80 engaging with the lower end of the arm 95 will shift the upper end thereof outwardly, against the action oit the controlliinoy spring 99. lVhen the upper end ot the arm 95 is, shifted outwardly, the bar 90 is moved to the dotted line position shown in Figure 3 and which provides av clearance tor the combined hook and cutter. lVhen the stud or pin S0 clears the lower end ot the arln 95. the spring 99 will provide for the shitting ot the bar 90 inwardly so that the scraper device will engage the side of the shrimp /l-l and remove the tins and feelers. The scraper device 94 operates below the wheel S4.

Arranged forwardly with respect to the spring controlled scraper element a'nd over the section 5 of the platform, is a picker element tor removing the meat 82 trom the shell 72. The picker clement is ot the revolving type and is operated trom the shaft 76 by the action of the gear 78 meshing' with and driving' a bevellcd gear 101, carried on the lower end of a vertically disposed shaft 102. which extends through the section 5 and also through a depending,r bearing' sleeve 103 carried by said section Surrounding the shaft 102 and liXed to the section 5 is a 1am 104 and secured to the lower tace ot the platform 5 and spaced `from the cam 101i is a directing member 105. Mounted ou the upper end ot the shaft 102 is a horizontally revoluble disk 106 which is operated by the shaft 109J and is formed with a curved slot 107 in proximity to its perimeter. Pivotcurved picker arm 109 provided with a setof spaced curved picker fingers 110 which extend from theouter edge of the arm 109. The arm 109 carriesa depending pin 111, which operates in the slot 107 and travels against the edge of the cam `104 and is directed by themember 105. `Secured to the section 5 is a brush or scraper 112 for removing the meatl 82 from the picker fingers 110. 'Fromthe construction of picker element as aforesaid, on the revolving of the disk 106 the picker bar 109 will be swung outwardly and the curved pointed picker fingers will catch the meat separating it clearof the shell and passing' it oyer the scraper employed to free itof any pieces` of shell left clinging thereto. The `cam 104 guides theqpicker bar 109 in its movement and as the disk 106 revolves the picker hngers will be moved clear of the mea't82 when the latter is 'acted upon by the scraper or brushy 112. v

From the foregoing construction and arrangement of parts on the operation of the conveyor the following steps will had in sequence with respect to each shrimp and which are the quickly securing of the shrimp or fastening it in position, freeing the meat at the tail portion of the shrimp, severing the head from the body, scraping the feelers or fins from the body, separating or removing the meat from the shell of the body and discarding the shell and severed head, and therefore it is thought the manyadvantages of a machine in accordance with this inven` tion and for the purpose referred to, can be readilyv understood, .and although thepreferred embodiment of` the invention is as 1llustrated and described, yet it is to be underr ried by the conveyor, positioned forwardly of the carrier and provided with head severing means, means for scraping off the fins and feelers during the travel of the carrier, a'. revoluble meat picker elementfor removing the -meat from the shell during the travel of the carrier, and means for shifting said fastener means to andfrom fastening position with respect tothe shell.

2. A machine for separating the meat from the shell of 4a Crustacea comprising an endless conveyor, a. carrier secured thereto and includingmeans for detachably fasten- -ing the shell thereto, .a holder bodily carried by the conveyor, positioned forwardly of the carrier and provi-ded with head severing means, means for scraping off the fins and feelers during the travel of the carrier, a revoluble meat picker element for removmg the meat from the shell during the travel of the carrier, means for shifting said fastener means to and from fastening position .with respect to the shell, said carrier including a clamping lever for the Crustacea and a combined guide and abutment for the latter, a stationary guide free of the carrier and coactmg with said combined guide and abutment, and a pivoted holder free'of the carrier.

A machine for separating the meat from theshell of a Crustacea comprising an endless conveyor, a carrier secured thereto and including means for detachably fastenmg the shell thereto, a holdery bodily carried bythe conveyor, positioned forwardly of the carrier and provided with head 'severing means, means for scraping off the fins 'and vfeelers during the travel `of the carrier, a

revoluble meat picker element for removing the meat from the'shell during the travel of the carrier, means for rshifting said fastener means to and from fastening position with respect to the shell, said picker element arranged forwardly of said scraper means.

4. A machine for separating the meat from the shell of a Crustacea comprising an endless `conveyor', alcarrier secured' thereto and including means for detachably fastening the shell thereto, a holder bodilycarried by the conveyor, positioned forwardly of thelcarrier and provided with head severing `means, means for scraping off the fins and feelers during the travel of the carrier, a revoluble meat picker element for removing the meat from the shell during the travel of the carrier, means for shifting said fastener means to and from fastening position with respect to the shell, said carrier including a clampinglever for the Crustacea and a combined guide and abutment for the latter, al stationary guide free of the carrier and coacting with said combined guide and abutment, a pivoted holder free of the carrier, said picker element arranged forwardly of said scraper means and the latter ar ranged forwardly of said stationary guide and pivoted holder. v

5. In a machine for the purpose set forth, a picker element comprising a horizontally disposed revoluble disk, a picker arm .pivotally connected thereon and providedwith a set of outwardly `extending curved picker fingers and further provided with a depending pin, and a cam arranged below the disk and having its edge'coacting with said pin. k6. In a machine for the purpose set forth a head cutter comprising a revoluble base formed of an upstanding cutter member provided with a series of superposed spaced tines of curved contour extending from one edge of the cutter member.

7. In a machine for the purpose set forth a travelling carrier comprislng a grooved body portion, transversely shiftable hook-4 carrying bars mounted in the grooves of the body portion and provided at one end with a hook having its bill spaced from and opposing the upper face of the bar, means for maintaining said bars in said grooved body portion, and an upstanding combined guide and abutment positioned on the top of the body portion.

8. ln a machine for the purpose set forth a travelling carrier comprising a grooved body portion, transversely shiftable hookcarrying bars mounted in the grooves of the body portion and provided at one end With a hook having its bill spaced from and opposing the upper face of the bar, means for maintaining said bars in said grooved body portion, an upstanding combined guide and abutment positioned on the top of the body portion, each of said bars having` the ends thereof oppositely bevelled.

9. In a machine for the purpose set forth a travelling carrier comprising a grooved body portion, transversely shiftable hoolicarrying bars mounted in the grooves of the body portion and provided at one end with a hook having its bill spaced from and opposing the upper face of the bar, means for maintaining said bars in said grooved body portion, an upstanding combined guide and abutment positioned on the top of the body portion, and a clamping lever pivoted upon the top of said body portion at the rear thereof.

l0. In a machine for the purpose set forth a travelling carrier comprising a grooved body portion, transversely shiftable hookcarrying bars mounted in the grooves of the body portion and provided at one end With a hook having its bill spaced from and opposing the upper face of the bar, means for maintaining said bars in said grooved body portion, an upstanding combined lguide and abutment positioned on the top of the body portion, a clamping lever pivoted from the top of said body portion at the rear thereof, and each of said bars having the ends thereof oppositely bevelled.

l1. In a machine for the purpose set forth a spring controlled scraper element for the feelers and fins of Crustacea comprising a spring controlled slidable bar provided at its inner end with a scraper device and intermediate its ends with slot, a spring controlled pivoted member operating in said slot for shifting said bar against the action of its controlling spring, and means for intermittently operating said member.

l2. lin a machine for the purpose set forth a counterbalanced holder element comprising a shank provided at its inner end With a wheel, said shank formed with a right angularly disposed extension at its outer end near/,4.79

terminating in a depending arm, a bearing for said extension, and means engaging With said arm for intermittently elevating said Wheel.

13. In a machine for the purpose set forth a travelling carrier provided with transversely shiftable fastening means for the Crustacea, means operating against one end of said fastening means for shifting the same to fastening position, and means operating against the other end of said fastening means for shifting it from fastening position.

la. In a machine for the purpose set forth a travelling carrier Vprovided with transversely shiftable fastening means for the Crustacea, means operating against one end of said fastening means for shifting the same to fastening position, means operating against the other end of said fastening means for shifting it from fastening position, the said means for shifting said fastening means from fastening position further including means for maintaining said fastening means in fastening position for a predetermined period.

l5. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising a travelling carrier including means for detachably connecting the body portion of the Crustacea thereto, a bodily conveyed, revoluble cutter for severing the head of the Crustacea forwardly of the carrier, means for intermittently operating said cutter, and a revoluble piclrer element for removing the meat from said body portion during the travel of the carrier and free of connection with the latter.

16. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising a travelling carrier including means for detachably connecting the body portion of the Crust-acca thereto, a bodily conveyed, revoluble cutter for severing the head of the Crustacea forwardly of the carrier, means for intermittently operating said cutter, a revoluble picker element for removing the meat from said body portion during the travel of the carrier and free of connection with the latter, and a feeler and fin remover acting on said body portion during the travel of the carrier, in advance of the action of the picker element and free of connection With said carrier.

17. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising a travelling carrier including means for detachably connecting the body portion of the Crustacea thereto, a bodily conveyed, revoluble cutter for severing the head of the Crustacea forwardly of the carrier, means for intern'iittently operating said cutter, a revoluble picker element for removing the meat from said body portion during the travel of the carrier and free of connection with the latter, and a combined brush and scraper coacting with said picker element for removing the meat therefrom.

18. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising a travelling carrier including shiftable hook devices for det-achably connecting the body portion of the Crustacea thereto, a bodily conveyed, revoluble cutter for severing the head of the Crustacea in advance of said carrier, Ine-ans for operatingl said cutter during the bodily conveying thereof, a revoluble meat picker element for-,removing the meat from said body portion during the travel of the carrier and free of connection With the latter, means for shifting said devices to and for maintaining them in connecting position with respect to the body portion of the Grustacea for a predetermined period, and means for shifting said hook devices free of the body por tion of the Crustacea.l

19. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising` a travelling carrier including shiftable hook devices for detachably connecting the body portion of the Crust-acca thereto, a bodily conveyed, revoluble cutter for'severingthe head of the Crustacea in advance of said carrier, means for operating said cutter during the bodily conveyingr thereof, a revoluble meat picker element for removing the meat from said body portion during the travel of the carrier and free of connection with the latter, means for shifting said devices to and for maintaining them in connecting position with respect to the body portion of the Crustacea for a predetermined period, means for shifting said hook devices free of the body portion of the Crustacea, and a feeler and iin remover device acting on said body portion during the travel of the carrier, in advance of the action of the picker element and free of connection with the carrier.

20. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising a travelling carrier including shiftable hook devices for detachably connecting the body portion of the Crustacea thereto, a bodily conveyed, revoluble cutter for severing the head of the Crustacea in advance of said carrier, means for operatingl said cutter during the bodily conveying thereof, a revoluble meat picker element for removing the meat from said body portion during the travel of the carrier and free of connection with the latter, means for shifting said devices to and for maintain-A ing them in connecting position with respect to the body portion of the Crustacea for a predetermined period, means for shifting said hook devices free of the body portion of the Crustacea, a feeler and lin remover device acting on said body portion during the travel of the carrier, in advance of the action of the picker element and free of connection with the carrier, and a counterbalanced .intermittently shifted holding element pressing on said body portion during the travel of the carrier.

In testimony whereof, I aiiix my signature hereto.

FRANK C. BUCKNAM. 

